June is Alzheimer’s and brain awareness month.
According to The Alzheimer’s Association, more than 6 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s. An estimated 6.7 million Americans age 65 and older are living with the disease in 2023.
Melissa Smith, marketing and communications director at St. Antoine Community, said Alzheimer’s impacts many in the community that the organization cares for.
She said the idea popped in her head to hold a fundraiser to benefit the Rhode Island chapter of the organization. This is the first year that St. Antoine will be holding the fundraiser and event.
“We have beautiful grounds and a beautiful walking path that a lot of our residents benefit from using that path as a spiritual escape,” she said. Smith said a bunch of purple pinwheels blowing in the breeze will be a beautiful sight to see for residents, especially those who are suffering with the disease. Family members and friends of those living there were sold purple pinwheels for $5, on which they could write messages to their loved ones.
On Wednesday of this week, June 21, St. Antoine was set to hold ceremony in honor of the longest day, the summer solstice where the purple pinwheels will be shown along the John St. Sauveur Walkway.
Though they were almost at their goal of $1,000 as of early this week, Smith said there are other ways to support the cause, and the disease and those fighting it should be talked about all year. Smith said her daughter and her friends were the ones to help put the pinwheels together, which proved a difficult task.
“…We are a non-profit and we’re on the receiving end of charitable donations, but it doesn’t mean we don’t recognize the needs of our community partners,” she said.
